Multidisciplinary approaches in initial and continuing education

Abstract

Complex social problems request a combination of the knowledge from different fields. Thus, in order to provide the necessary support to people with disabilities, multidisciplinary intervention is indispensable at the practice level. Professionals from relevant to disability fields (socio-psycho-pedagogy, health, law, etc.) must learn to work together, and initial and continuous training programs need to be adjusted accordingly. They have to be supported to develop communication abilities and conflict avoidance skills, to learn how to work as a team in order to achieve joint results, thus requiring an organizational culture and values that will facilitate collaboration. At the same time, it is essential to provide support during professional practice through continuous training that reflects the real situation, not only providing a theoretical basis and updating knowledge, but also offering the opportunity to practice some basic skills in a safe learning environment, assisted by qualified specialists who can also provide professional supervision and mentorship to practitioners. The fragmentation in the delivery of psycho-social, legal and health services, particularly for vulnerable, disadvantaged groups requiring complex and long-term interventions is reducing doe to multidisciplinarity applied in capacity building of professionals. This approach is already applied internationally and has been initiated in Moldova.